Mobile Revolution: Changing the Face of Technology Instruction at Halifax Public Libraries

Abstract

Consumer technology has changed explosively over the past decade and upended customers' needs with respect to technology instruction at public libraries. Two notable shifts have had the greatest influence. First, the shift from a single dominant operating system and interface (windows XP/7) to an ever increasing array of operating systems and interfaces. Second, the shift from multi-user devices to single-user devices. Discussing the consequences of these shifts will serve as a departure for exploring the changing expectations placed on library staff and their consequently evolving skill requirements and professional development needs. Beyond the necessitated changes to program delivery strategies, how we define staff competence and even program success are being challenged. I believe that in this new stormy tech landscape instructors' mindsets might be more crucial to their success than their skillsets.